title: Rational interleukin-2 therapy.
abstract: The administration of cytokines that augment the function of the immune system can be accomplished safely and without toxicity, provided a rational approach is used. Such a therapeutic method should be based upon the principles of pharmacology and the structure-activity relationships of the cytokine-receptor interaction. Thus, the therapeutic index should be determined, and the goal should be to augment the function of the immune system in a variety of clinical situations, not necessarily focused on eradicating a particular disease process such as metastatic cancer that may or may not be influenced by the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Program, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2